Compressor mechanism



Aug. 7, 1934. A, GEHREs 1,969,507

COMPRESSOR MECHANISM Filed March 27, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR BY H/S ATTORNEYS Aug. 7, 1934. GEHRES 1,969,507

COMPRESSOR MECHANISM Filed March 27. 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 lNVENTOR JZQWIZZ Ge/zres Aug. 7, 1934. H. A. GEHRES 1,969,507

COMPRESSOR MECHANISM Filed March 27, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR [fen/[[111 G'kres BY ms ATTORNEYS M M 1 M Au 7, 1934. H, A, EHRE 1,969,507

COMPRESSOR MECHANISM Filed March 27, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR fieWz'llflGe/ares BY s A'ITORNEYS Aug. 7, 1934. H. A. GEHRES COMPRESSOR MECHANISM Filed March 27, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Hen/2714. GGfi/GS BY ATTORNEYS Patented Au 7, 1934 UNITED s'rATEs COMPRESSOR MECHANISM Hewitt A. Gchres, Mount Vernon, Ohio, assignor to (boner-Bessemer Corporation, Mount Vernon, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio 1 Application Match '27, 1931, SerialNo. 525,706

14Claims. (Cl. 230-21) My invention relates to compressors and more particularly involves imloading arrangements therefor together with other novel features of construction.

My invention relates .to a compressor operating on any suitable fluid medium such, for example, as a gas or gaseous medium thus generically termed in the following specification.

My invention, in a prominent phase thereof, involves a step-by-step novel unloading or loading compressor arrangement, operative in either a manual or a atic sense.

My inventio: another prominent phase thereof, relates to a novel construction whereby pressure relief is afforded for an unloaded side or sides of a compressor. to avoid excessive temperatures.

My invention resides in certain other novel features. characteristics and structural arrangements.

For an understanding of my invention and for an illustration of some of the many forms thereof, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, of a compressor constructed in accordance with my invention;

2 is a vertical sectional view, partly in eleven of a compressor constructed in accordance with my invention and arranged for automatic operation;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, of a manually actuatable compressor valve:

Fig. 4 is a verticalsectional view, partly in elevation, of an automatically actuatable compressor valve;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, of a part of the control system for the compresor of 2;

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of a part of the mechanism shown in Fig. 5;

t Fig. '1 is a front elevational view, partly in section of a part of the control system for the compressor of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 8 is a transverse, vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, of a part of the control mechanismshowninFig.'1.

to Fig. 1.0 represents a cylinder in which a piston P is disposed for reciprocatory movement, said piston P being connected by a piston rod to any suitable source of power, not shown. In accordance withthe invention, the suction passage of the cylinder C is divided, by a partition 1, into two distinct suction passages A and A1 leading, respectively, to opposite ends of said cylinder 0.

Carried by the cylinder C is a structure 8 having a suction passage divided, by a partition 2, 4 into two distinct suction passages A2 and A3.

With the structures properly seated on the cylinder C, the partitions 1 and 2, in effect, form a. single wall isolating the suction passage A, A2 from the suction passage A1, As shown in 1, the partition 2 comprises oppositely extending, upper sections each having an opening 3, both of the openings 3 communicating with a common suction pipe 4. Accordingly, with the arrangement shown and described, separate passages extend from' the conduit 4 to opposite, respective ends of the cylinder C and each of these passages includes one of the openings 3.

For the closing either or both of the aforesaid passages at will, there may be utilized an arrangement as shown in Fig. 1 wherein valve structures V and .V1 are associated with the respective passages, said valve structures being carried by the structures. "As shown, each valve structure comprises a handle 5 adapted for manual actuation, a housing 6, and a plate'l adapted to seat uponasuitable interior surface of the structure S. the valve stem 8 extending through the housing 6 and connecting the plate 'Itothehandle5. Q

In accordance with my invention, a structure S1 is suitably secured to that end of the cylinder C to the right, Fig. 1, said structure S1 comprising a passage communicatingwith the aforesaid cylinder passage Al by way of a chamber 9 formed interiorly thereof, said chamber 9 communicating with the piston chamber of the cylinder C.

Disposed in the passage A4 is a suitable valve assembly which may be of conventional type, if desired. for permitting gas to'pass from the passage A4 to the chamber 9 but preventing passage of gas in reverse direction along this path. As generally shown, this valve assembly comprises 'a mechanicalarrangement 10 disposed on the structure $1, a stem or jack bolt 11 extending therefrom into the passage A4, and a plate valve assembly generally shown at 12 for one-way control of gas as described immediately above.

Secured to one side of the structure S1 is a housing 13 carrying a chamber'14 closed to the atmosphere, the interior of said chamber 14 communicating with the interior of said housing 13 and the latter adapted to communicate by a passage A5 with the aforesaid chamber 9. Ex-

tending axially through the housing 13 and pascation. 'l'otheendthatgasmaypasfromtheandthe valveVl open. 'flie clmranee chamber 9, through the e A7, and thence to the All, but not in reverse direction. there may be utilized a valve assembly similar 5 to that hereinbeiore described for controlling the .andABvalveassemhliessimilartotheonehereinbeioredescribedinconnecia'onwiththepassageAk Inaocordancewithaphaseofmyinvention andreferringparliurlarlyto-lilgtiwhichmaybe considered as illustrative of the valve sh'ucture V,thevalvehousing6isshownascomprisinga chamberzohavingoommlmicatingtherewitha e 21 which communicates with a conduit 22leadingtoa 1- turesilandcommunicating withthechamber 19disposedtherewithin. 'lhevalvestemscomprisesanaxialeilaopeningatoneend intotheafmidchamber 20,andatthe other endintothatpartoi'thepassagemwhichcommunicateswiththeinletpipe4whenthevalve plate'lisdisposeduponitssait. Totheend thatgasmaytraversetheeaaotthe valvestemonlyinthedirecti onindicatedhythe arrow in Fig. 3, suitable check valve isemploycdandashereinshowmsuchmechanismcomprisesavalveplateubiasedtowardits seatushowninfig.3hyahelicalspring25 seated on a plug ZB-threaded into the' valve plate'l.

Preferably, the valve structures V and V1 are similar, a connection similar to that just describedleadingfromthechamberilofstructme S1 tothe hollow stemof the valve structure V1.

. The operation of the form of my invention ilthe passage A5, housing 13 and chamber 14 is thereby added to the space at the end of the.

cylinder C to the right. It the chamber 14; has

the proper dimensions the clearance thus added gives approximately 25% unloading.

The next step involves closure'ot the valve plate 16 upon its seat and closure of the valve V, the valve V1 remaining open. 'lhis restores iull loading to ODCyOQdj) the compressor-but completely other end thereby giving %unloading. 1

The next step involves removal of the valve plate 16 from its seat, the valve V being closed noted aboveisthelebyaddedtotheloadedsideofthe comprmor thereby giving Thellnalstepinvolvesclosureotvalvevhthe va1veVc1osed,whereby100% unloadingis as above; the valves ulatedasdesiredtoobhiinadesiredoi rmloadingthelatterbeingtusually, upontherehtionotinfliedischarge duitszilrelatoanimportantfmtm'eot invention. Thus, for example, when the loadedrisestoanhiglimaguitude unless a relief such as a conduit 22 is provided.

when the com is a gas other thanair,itisthattheconduit22communieate with the suction passage as stated. However, when the com is handling air, theconduitsnmaydirectlywith the atmosphere through any suitable check valve arrangement. Thus in Fig. 3 the to maye'xtemltotheoutereudoi!thevalvestem ratherthantotheinnerinwhichcasesaid' passage may communicate with the atmosphere through a check valve.

The form of my invention hereinbefore describedandillustratedbyllgsland3isa manually controlled system. As well, the invention may be adapted for automatic control as illustrated'in connection with Flgs..2 and 4. Asregardstheotthetwosystems, the only substantial dillerence involves difierent valve arrangements together with slightly different supporting arrangements therefor.

Thus, the cylinder 0 of 2 supports a structure 83 substantially the same as the corresponding structure S of Fig. 1. The structure 83 comprises a suction divided, by a partition 27, into the two distinct suction passages A2 and A3, each oi! which includes an opening 28 adapted to be closed by a valve plate and each suction passage adapted to communicate with the common suction pipe 4.

For automaflcally'closing either or both of f the aforesaid suction es A2 and A3 of Fig. 2 at will, there may be utilized valve structures in and vs associated with the respective .439: A: and A3; and as 11m!- trated,.thesevalve structuresV2andV3areof duplicate character and hence a of onewillsumcefortheother. ThereforaasregardstbevalvestructureVBandreferringparticularlytoFig.4,saidvalvestructureV3is shown as comprising a housing 29 carried by thestructureS3,saidhousing29havingapiston 30 reciprocatory therein and said piston 30 carryingavalvestem31terminatingatoneend inavalveplate32adaptedtocoactwiththe sm'faoedeiiningtheopening28. Astheparts are positioned in Fig. 4, a helical spring 33 interposedbetweenapartofthehousingnand the piston 30 urges the latter and the valve stem 31 in an upward direction whereby the valve plate 32 tends to be lifted from the surface defining the opening 28. To overcome the spring33andtoholdthevalveplate32inclmd position, a suitable control arrangement is utilized as hereinafter described for introducing a fluid medium under pressure into the space between the top plate ofthe housing,29 and the upper surface of the piston 30. To this end, said top plate may be provided with a suitable passage receiving a conduit 34 which leads to the control apparatus.

As shown in Fig. 4, the top plate of the housing 29 comprises an inner, central sleeve slidably receiving that end of the valve stem 31 removed from the valve plate 32. Due to this arrangement, a chamber is formed with which communicates a conduit 22 similar in function to that hereinbefore described in connection withFigs.1and3. Thevalvestem31comprises an axial passage as indicated at 310., this communicating with the above noted chamber and with the conduit 22. Said passage 3111 is adapted to be closed by a check valve 35 biased to closed positiomby a helical spring 36 seated upon a plug 37 carried by the valve plate 32, said plug being provided with 1 a as indicated at 31c whereby, when the check valve 35 is removed from its seat, air may pass from the interior of valve stem 31 to the suction pipe 4.

As stated, the valve structures V2 and V3, preferably, are duplicate in character. When positioned as shown in Fig. 2, the valve plates 32ofsaidvalvestructuresareadaptedtoclose the respective openings 28 under the influence of a control medium as hereinafter described.

The structure 81 of Fig. 2 may be and preferably is a duplicate of the corresponding structure S1 of Fig. 1. In lieu, however, of the housing 13 of Fig. 1, the structure 31 of Fig. 2carriesahousing38inturncarryingthe chamber 14. Reciprocatory in the housing 38 is apiston39carryingavalvestem40havinga valve plate 41 at one end thereof. The piston 39 is biased from left to right, Fig. 2, by a helical spring 42 whereby the valve plate 41 is caused to be seated and prevent e of gas from the chamber 9 through the housing 38 and into the chamber. 41. To automatically overcome the eflect' of the'spring 42, a fluid under pressure is admitted to the interior of the housing 38, this being accomplished, in the example by a conduit 43 which communicates with the interior of said housing 38 on the side of the piston 39 removed from the spring 42.

Aside from the foregoing, the arrangement of Hg.2maybeandpreferablyisthesame asthe ent of Pig. 1. Hence, the description heretoforegivenforFlg.1wlllsuillcea-sa deseriptionofthosepartsoflig2notspeciflcallynotedabove.

Asstated,thetofFlgs.2and4 is adapted for automatic control and, as example of a suitable automatic control tem,referenceistobehadtoFigs.5,6,'l 8 wherein R represents a a conventional diachamber closed one end of a lever 55.

Pivotedtotheleverisammnber56forming the control element of a conventional floating pilot valve PV having 1"" 5'1 and 58 connected in a pipe line 60 traversed by any suitable fluid under pressure. As herein shown, the line 60 is traversed by oil discharging into an oil sump 61 and being fed therefrom by a suitable pump 62.

Passages 63 and 64 of the pilot v'alve PV communicate, respectively, with the es of a suitable rotary hydraulic relay HR. comprising a shaft 65, the hub of which carries a blade 66 rotatably movable in a chamber 6'! of said relay between stop surfaces 68 and 69. A wall '10 projects toward and engages the hub of shaft 65, the arrangement being such that the wall '10 and blade 66 divides the chamber 6'! into two compartments, it being obvious that one compartment increases in size and that the other compartment decreases in size in response to rotatable movement of the blade 66.

AsshowninFig.6,theshaftcarrlesacompensating disk 71 coactable with a member '12 slidable in a bracket '13 and pivoted to that end of the lever 55 removed from the link 54.

IfitisassumedthatthebladeGGisinengagement with the stop surface 69 and that the compressor of Fig. 2 is operating at zero unloading, i.e. that the valves V2 and V3 are open and the valve plate 41 closed, a condition of equilibrium exists and, so long as pressure changes do not arise, the system continues to operate with the valves in the positions stated above. However, upon occurrence of a given riseinpressure abovemeanpnssureinthedischarge line, elevation of the diaphragm 51 occurs and the pilot valve becomes operative to permit passage of oil along a path indicated by the arrowsinFlg.5. Asaresult,theblade66 and shaft 65 are moved in a clockwise direction, Fig. 5, such movement of the shaft 65 causing the compensating disk 71 to partake of movement until one of the steps in said disk '11 permits downward movement of the member 56 whereby the through the pilot valve are closed and the blade 66 locked in the position to which moved. The position last named is the 25% unloading position of the blade 66 and shaft 65. As will be described hereinafter, such position of the shaft 65 causes the valve plate 41 to be moved from its seat, the valves V2 and V3 being open, whereby the compressor of Fig. 2 is 25% unloaded.

Thereafter, in the event that the presure in the discharge line continues to rise sufficiently above mean pressure, the blade 66 and shaft 55 may move clockwise, Fig. 5, into positions where the unloading on the compresor of Pig. 2 is a sor in accordance with the invention described herein.

Obviously, the arrangement comprising the conduits 22 for relieving pressure at the respective ends 01 the cylinder C of Fig. 2 operates substantially as hereinbefore described in connection with Figs. 1 and 3.

While the invention has been described with respect to certain particular preferred examples which give satisfactory results, it will be understood by those skilled in the art after understanding the invention, that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and it is intended therefore in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by letters Patent is:

1. In a compressor, a cylinder, a piston recip rocatory therein, separate shut-off valves in paths leading respectively to the opposite ends of the cylinder, a clearance chamber, and a. valve interposed between said clearance chamber and one end of said cylinder.

2. In a compressor, a cylinder, a piston reciprocatory therein, means for cutting oil the suction to each end of said cylinder separately, and means independent of said first named means for varying the unloading at one end of said cylinder.

3. In a compressor, a cylinder, 9. piston reciprocatory therein, a suction pipe, a discharge pipe, means forming separate paths communicating with said pipes and with opposite respective ends of said cylinder, valves in each path for closing the same to said suction pipe, a clearance chamber, and means for placing said chamber in communication with one end 01 said cylinder.

4. In a compressor, a cylinder, a. piston reciprocatory therein, a suction pipe, a discharge pipe, means forming separate paths communicating with said pipes and with opposite respective ends of said cylinder, valves in each path for closing the same to said suction pipe, 9. clearancechamber, and a valve between one end of said cylinder and said chamber to place the latter in communication with the former, said valves being operable individually and jointly to vary the unloading of said compresso by steps.

5. In a compressor, a cylinder, a piston reciprocatory therein, a suction pipe, a discharge pipe. :ceans forming separate paths communicating with said pipes and with opposite respective ends of said cylinder, valves in each path for closing the same to said suction pipe, a clearance chamber, a valve for opening and closing said chamber to one end of said cylinder. and means for operating said valves in definite sequence to vary the unloading of said compressor.

6. In a compressor, a cylinder, a piston reciprocatory therein. a suction pipe. a discharge pipe, means forming separate paths communicating with said pipes and with opposite respective ends of said cylinder, valves in each path for closing the same to said suction pipe, a clearance chamber, a valve for opening and closing said chamber to one end of said cylinder, and means for operating said valves first to open said clearance chamber valve, then to close said last mentioned valve and open the first mentioned valve which is at the opposite end of the cylinder, then to re-open said clearance chamber valve, and then to close the remaining first mentioned valve.

7. In a compressor, a cylinder, 9. piston reciprocatory therein, a suction pipe, means for closing the path between said suction pipe and one end of said cylinder, and means for passing fluid material from said one end of said cylinder to a region of lower pressure while said path is so closed.

8. In a compressor, a cylinder, a piston reciprocatory therein, means for unloading one end of said cylinder, and means for relieving pressure on said one end of said cylinder during continuance of operation of said piston and while so unloaded.

9. In a compressor, a cylinder, a piston reciprocatory therein, a suction pipe, means forming separate paths communicating with said pipe and with opposite respective ends of said cylinder, means for closing one of said paths, and means for passing fluid material from the closed-path-end of said cylinder while so closed.

10. In a compressor, a cylinder, a piston reciprocatory therein, a suction pipe, means forming separate paths communicating with said pipe and with opposite respective ends of said cylinder, valve means for closing one 0! said paths, and means for passing fluid material from the closed-path-end of said cylinder to the region of said suction pipe beyond said valve means while so closed.

11. In a compressor, a cylinder, a piston reciprocatory therein, a suction pipe, means forming separate paths 'communicating with said pipe and with opposite respective ends of said cylinder, valve means for closing one of said paths, means for passing fluid material from the closed-path-end of said cylinder while so closed, said last named means comprisinga path including the stem of said valve means, and a check valve in said path for permitting fluid flow from said cylinder and preventing flow in reverse direction.

12. In a compressor, a cylinder, intake and discharge passages leading to opposite ends of said cylinder. intake valves respectively associated with said intake passages, and means selectively operable for shutting ofl communicanon through each of said intake passages and intake valves to the respective ends of the cylinder during periods when the intake valves normally aiford such communication.

13. In a compressor, a cylinder, intake and discharge passages leading to opposite ends oi said cylinder, a clearance chamber, means for placing said clearance chamber in communication with one end of said cylinder, intake valves respectively associated with said intake passages. and means selectively operable for shutting off communication through each of said intake passages and intake valves to the respective ends of the cylinder during periods when the intake valves normally afford such communication.

14. In a compressor, a cylinder, a piston reciprocatory therein, means for closing oi! the suction to one end of said cylinder during the entire cycle of piston operation, and means for relieving pressure on said one end of said cylinder while the, suction is thus closed 03.

HEWII'I' A. GEHRES.

DISCLAIMER 1,969,507.He1bifl A. Gckru, Mount Vernon Ohio. Common MECHANIBH. Patent dated August 7, 1934. Disciaimer filed June 25, was, by the ee, 17w Cooper-Bessemer Corporation. Herelg enters this disclaimer to claim 12 of said patent. ficidl GnzefleJuly 'IQ, 1938.] 

